Pyongyang urged Washington to end “hostile” military drills with Seoul and to remove its strategic assets from the region. North Korea has warned that it will soon consider US military action near its borders as a “declaration of war,” issuing a harsh response after American diplomats pressed the United Nations …
Read More »Monthly Archives: February 2023
WHO raises alarm over bird flu
The global health watchdog described the situation as “worrying” as news spread of a girl dying in Cambodia after contracting the virus The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning amid a recent uptick in cases of avian flu (H5N1) in Cambodia. Authorities in the Southeast Asian country recently …
Read More »EU imposes new sanctions on 121 individuals, entities over Russia’s war in Ukraine
New EU sanctions over Russia’s war in Ukraine adopted on Saturday target 121 individuals and entities, including drone manufacturers, officials said. The measures, agreed late Friday ahead of Saturday’s formal adoption, are the 10th round of European Union sanctions aimed at undercutting Russia’s finances and military supplies used in its …
Read More »Iran likely to deliver missile system to Syria to boost air defenses
Iranian and Syrian military officials have reportedly agreed on the delivery of missile systems to Damascus to boost the country’s air defenses amid increased Israeli air raids. In a report on Thursday night, IRIB News said Iran and Syria have reached an agreement for the delivery of equipment related to …
Read More »Turkey begins to rebuild for 1.5 mln left homeless by earthquakes
Turkey has begun initial work to rebuild homes following this month’s devastating earthquakes, a government official said on Friday, as a U.N. Development Program (UNDP) estimated 1.5 million people have been left homeless. More than 160,000 buildings containing 520,000 apartments collapsed or were severely damaged in the Feb. 6 earthquakes …
Read More »North Korea test-fires cruise missiles to demonstrate nuclear counterattack
North Korea test-fired four strategic cruise missiles during a drill designed to demonstrate its ability to conduct a nuclear counterattack against hostile forces, its state media said on Friday. The exercise on Thursday involved an apparently operational strategic cruise missile unit of the Korean People’s Army, which fired the four …
Read More »Russia welcomes China peace plan, says it is open to talks
Russia welcomed on Friday Chinese proposals to resolve the conflict in Ukraine and said it was open to achieving the goals of what it calls its “special military operation” through political and diplomatic means. China has called for a comprehensive ceasefire as part of a 12-point plan for dealing with …
Read More »Ex-US senator: Washington started wars in Iraq, Ukraine
The United States is to blame for constantly meddling in the internal affairs of independent countries and starting both the wars in Iraq and Ukraine, a former US state senator says. Ex-state Senator from Virginia, Richard Black said in an interview that the US overthrew the governments of both of …
Read More »Lebanese banks to suspend open-ended strike at PM’s request
Lebanon’s struggling banks on Friday decided to suspend their strike, which started earlier this month, for one week after caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati asked them to do so. The Association of Banks in Lebanon did not give further details about the suspension. The strike began Feb. 7 in protest …
Read More »Iraq’s cabinet to vote on oil’s reference price in the budget next week: lawmaker
The Iraqi government is expected to vote on oil’s reference price in the 2023 budget in its next meeting, lawmaker Ali Saadoun al-Lami said on Friday. “The cabinet has already discussed the reference price of oil in the budget,” al-Lami told News Agencies, “a vote on the bill is expected …
Read More »US consumer spending surges in January as inflation heats up
US consumer spending increased by the most in nearly two years in January amid a surge in wage gains, while inflation accelerated, adding to financial market fears that the Federal Reserve could continue raising interest rates through summer. The report from the Commerce Department on Friday was the latest indication …
Read More »US targets Russia with sanctions, tariffs on Ukraine war anniversary
The United States marked the first anniversary of Russia’s war with Ukraine on Friday by announcing new sanctions against Russia and its allies, new export controls, and tariffs aimed at undermining Moscow’s ability to wage war. Washington also said it would provide another $2 billion in weaponry for Kyiv as …
Read More »Europa League last 16 draw: Man Utd to play Real Betis, Arsenal face Sporting Lisbon
Manchester United will play Real Betis in the Europa League last 16 after overcoming Barcelona, while Arsenal faces Sporting Lisbon, the BBC reports. United beat the La Liga leaders 2-1 at Old Trafford on Thursday to seal a 4-3 aggregate win in the play-off tie. Arsenal will play the second …
Read More »Skipping breakfast may be bad for the immune system – study
The findings could lead to a better understanding of how chronic fasting may affect the body in the long term. Skipping breakfast may be bad for the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to fight off infection, according to a new study. Chronic fasting could also lead …
Read More »European Commission Bans TikTok
The European Commission (EC) has ordered its employees to uninstall the popular Chinese-owned social media app TikTok from corporate devices, explaining the move as necessary to bolster cybersecurity. Staffers have until mid-March to comply or else lose access to their EC email and Skype for Business apps, EURACTIV reported, citing …
Read More »Tunisia sentences Algerian activist in absentia – Mosaique FM
A Tunisian court has issued in absentia a prison term of three months to Algerian activist Amira Bouraoui for illegally crossing borders, Tunisia’s radio Mosaique FM reported on Friday, in a case that has caused a diplomatic row. Bouraoui, who was subject to a travel ban in Algeria after her …
Read More »Hungary PM says more talks needed on Finland, Sweden NATO bids
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday that more talks between parliamentary groups were needed before lawmakers vote on the ratification of Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership bids which they will begin debating next Wednesday. Speaking on public radio, Orban said he had asked lawmakers of his nationalist Fidesz …
Read More »Financial crime watchdog adds South Africa, Nigeria to ‘grey list’
International financial crime watchdog the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) said on Friday it was adding South Africa and Nigeria to its so-called “grey list” of countries under special scrutiny to implement standards to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing. The FATF is an inter-governmental organisation that underpins the fight …
Read More »Bird flu situation ‘worrying’, WHO working with Cambodia
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is working with the Cambodian authorities after two confirmed human cases of H5N1 bird flu were found in the country among one family. Describing the situation as “worrying” due to the rise in cases in birds, mammals and humans, Dr Sylvie Briand, the director of …
Read More »Yemen urges UN action as UAE, Israel evict locals from strategic island
Yemen has called on the United Nations and relevant international bodies to adopt proper measures against the expulsion of Yemeni families by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from a strategic island southwest of Socotra, as part of plans to build a military base there under the supervision of Israeli military …
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